Ygerna Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 and people were asking what you were going to do to celebrate what would you say? Also, what would be your idea gift? Strange question perhaps to be asking here, but! Its my 40th soon, people keep asking me these type of questions and I simply have no idea how to answer So, come along omleteers, INSPIRE ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Celebrate quietly with family - glad to have reached that age and thinking of others who did not!. Gifts - well just gift of family and health Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Personally, I would want to be out of the country and celebrating in style. For my 30th, I was in Sydney (thanks to a fab OH!) I also think that its great to have an "experience" for a birthday present, rather than something to keep (but I know a lot of people would disagree with this). Is there anything exciting that you've ever wanted to do? I can strongly recommend Skydiving, Gliding, Flying lesson as cool presents. Or maybe something like a Hot air balloon ride or racing a Porsche or Ferrari around a track or doing a 4 wheel drive off road adventure. Also, as "calmer" presents, a day in a spa with massage, treatments etc is nice. Good luck with thinking of something However, I am strongly of the opinion that you should do something fabulous, and for you! "Milestone" birthdays are a rare opportunity to be pampered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Definately NOT a suprise party for me, I think I would like to go on the Orient Express. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I would want to celebrate it VERY quietly with my immediate family and hope no-one realised it was my birthday.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I kept totally quiet about my 40th! I'm not bothered about getting older, but I just don't really do birthdays, and I am FED UP with people saying 'no, but you do really want to have a party don't you' as if I'm overcome by some sort of false modesty. It's just another day as far as I'm concerned. However ... I'm considering using my next big birthday, which is more than a year away, as a sort of fund-raiser. I don't really need any presents and it would be nice to organise something, I'm thinking maybe a small concert with my singing friends, and get people to donate money instead. Sorry, probably not very helpful to you, Ygerna! All I'd say is - do what you want to do, and if you're not a party person, then don't feel under pressure to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 (edited) A ceilidh as it is a fun, social and involves people of all ages without being a normal party which is not to everyone's taste. http://www.webfeet.org/eceilidh/Overview.html Ideal gift? or edit: I once went to a budget wedding with ceilidh where there was a buffet. Guests brought one dish, they arranged either main or pudding or starter I think. The food was really nice as home cooked and the family provided a few dishes. You can also get barrels of real ale from a brewery. Edited July 21, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Well I asked for a personalised number plate - nothing special, just a mix of initials of the 4 of us. I am still waiting. Instead I got one large watering can (quite heavy when full - I already had one just the right size - and I'm always using it - NOT my wonderful birthday present), one dried flower arrangement the colours of which I would never choose ever, ever, ever. And one CD that OH told me the first 2 tracks were good, but not to bother with the rest of the CD because it was rubbish! Ooh lucky me! He made up for it with my 50th - a cube and chickens! Whatever you choose, make sure you either brainwash your family well in advance - or you might just be lucky like Deb's OH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I didn't feel like sorting a big 'do' for my 40th so did the usual thing - easy to prepare meal followed by cake - with just my OH and kids. I wasn't bothered about turning 40. However, now that the kids are a bit older I thought that I would like to celebrate a birthday with friends so am having a big garden party and barbeque for my 45th next month (about 30 adults plus their kids invited). To make it a bit easier I will ask a few close friends to bring along a pudding each. I will provide the basic sausages, burgers, bread and salads and anyone who wants anything fancier can bring it along themselves. Most people bring a bottle and I will supplement these, make a few jugs of pimms and provide soft drinks for the kids. Sorting out a venue and caterers can be so expensive - it depends on how much you are willing to spend and how many people you want to have. A lot of my friends like barn dances which can be held in a village hall and are also fun for older kids. You can prepare a cold supper to serve at each table and have a paying bar to keep costs down. My problem with this sort of thing is you invite loads of people and then don't get a chance to talk much to most of them (a bit like a wedding really...) In the Spring a friend took a minibus full to Caldicot Castle for a Medieval Banquet (they all dressed up) for her 40th. I think it cost about £30 + drinks each. I didn't go as I didn't have a babysitter I was happy to leave the kids with for 6 hours (and I hate dressing up ) As for presents, I am always happy with a good piece of jewellery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 For my 40th I planned the whole day. I asked my sisters to join me for the day and we all got our nails done, then went for a long lunch with Tapas, Champagne and cocktails. More close family joined us in the evening and we went for a chinese locally. I asked people to buy me a silver charm, so I have a lovely bracelet as a keepsake. A relaxing day with people I love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I have a charm bracelet and my friends bought me charms to suit me. I got a liver bird, a chicken, a heart, a camera, a saxophone, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Its so long since mine I can't remember what I got but I did have a surprise party which I quite enjoyed as it was just like an impromtu gathering of friends. Didn't want one when I was 50 so went on holiday to the sun. 60th is less than 18 months away so I'd better start thinking. Probably go away again as "Ooops, word censored!"ody really wants to party on 2nd Jan As for presents, why not choose a theme and just ask everyone to get you chickens, or vouchers for your favourite shop, or those pandora bead things. I think I might just keep it simple and ask for diamonds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 60th is less than 18 months away so I'd better start thinking. Probably go away again as "Ooops, word censored!"ody really wants to party on 2nd Jan Blimey what a near coincidence. We are both 60 within two days of eachother I'm going to Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 ME and OH we both 40 last year and we don't 'do' big parties etc - so we decided to spend the year doing things which either we hadn't done before or things we had wanted to do but not got around to.......one of them wass getting chickens! So no great whoosh, but a long slow boil for our 40th - suited us, but maybe not others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Been reading this with interest as DH turns 40 next year, I think we'll be doing something a bit different as well. Gone off the idea of a party as we don't mind going just don't like being the centre of attention Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 On my 40th my OH did a surprise party, on a Saturday afternoon so everyone was there when I can back from my job in a local garage, I hadn't washed my hair that morning I had on tatty clothes - I was absolutely furious with him . He knew I would hate it but he stilll did it! To top the lot that was my present except for a couple of little joke bits such as wrinkle cream and vitamins. No one could understand why I hated it and thought I was being ungrateful. My 50th is looming next year and he knows that under no circumstances are there to be any surprise gatherings I'd like a quiet meal out with my immediate family, possibly see a show and stay up in London for the night. A girl at work booked her mum in with a personal shopper (in Debenhams I think) and gave her a voucher to buy an outfit with, I think thats a nice idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleleicesterfox Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Personally I want a large ABBA-themed party but OH just doesn't want to tell anyone when he turns 40. My friend got her husband to buy her a charm bracelet and then all her guests to buy her a charm for the bracelet for her 40th which I thought was a rather nice idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutmeg Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 For my 40th I decided to be totally selfish and do something I had always wanted to do. We booked one night in a 5* hotel in Knightsbridge, had afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason (wanted Claridges but had left it too late to book) and the next day we walked round The City discovering all the hidden churches, alleyways, etc as I adore the history of London. That was my present, I didn't want anything else, just that and to me it was priceless. Take some time to really think about what YOU would like to do, then go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I love the charm bracelet idea. For my 30th we went skiing for a week, had a lovely meal on the day, it was fantastic. I agree you should have a good think about something you really want to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 For my 40th, OH took me to Barcelona for a long weekend and made a surprise of it. I was not sure where we were going until we got to the airport which was quite sweet. The only problem was that we spent a good proportion of my actual birthday looking round Nou Camp which, I have to be brutally frank here, was not my first choice of sight seeing! I also decided to climb Kilimanjaro so asked for fundraising towards that instead of presents. I didn't actually get around to it until the following year but it was all part of the same thing. I am sure that inspiration will strike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 For my next big one - not 40 unfortunately I am walking Wainwright's Coast to Coast - inviting friends to join me if they want to along the way, then a bit of a do at the end in Boggle Hole Youth Hostel. And this bit is important - I won't be able to help in preparing for it, I will only have to turn up and not put on any glad rags! I don't like parties and this way I will get to spend quality time with my special people. Can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 60th is less than 18 months away so I'd better start thinking. Probably go away again as "Ooops, word censored!"ody really wants to party on 2nd Jan Blimey what a near coincidence. We are both 60 within two days of eachother I'm going to Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands. Wow! Don't think I'll do anything that exotic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 The only problem was that we spent a good proportion of my actual birthday looking round Nou Camp which, I have to be brutally frank here, was not my first choice of sight seeing! Wash your mouth out Jlo I would LOVE to go to the Nou Camp. That would be my idea of birthday heaven, seeing a Barca game would be icing on a cake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Some great ideas here, thanks, but, I've been thinking and thinking (my head hurts now) and I've decided to ask for people to get me things from Oxfam unwrapped. If I cant think of anything that I would really like or want then that makes me really lucky, so, I will use my turning 40 as a way of helping those less fortunate! Ta-da, problem solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I think that sounds like a perfect plan! good for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
